2026 Best Value Value Schools in Massachusetts

[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-science/general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.
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2026 Best Value Value Schools in Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
Leading the list is University Of Massachusetts Amherst, our #1 best value for value in Massachusetts. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $53,543. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Smith College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,178. Students borrow a median of $18,941 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $40,436. Set against $18,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mount Holyoke College earned it the #3 place for value. Set in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,018. Students borrow a median of $22,041 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Mount Holyoke College earn a median of $35,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mount Holyoke College admits about 36% of applicants.
Tufts University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $17,074. Early-career value graduates make about $68,154. Set against $17,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, which ranked #5. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,765. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $91,834. That is a strong return on a $26,259 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.